You Have the Authority

In a world of sinking standards, you can rise above the norm and be a moral authority.

Illustration by Craig Stapley

Imagine you’re having fun swimming in the ocean. The water seems fine, and you’re a strong enough swimmer to keep your head above water. Besides, you can see land nearby. But what if the level of the sea itself is sinking? No matter how hard you swim you have no choice but to go down with the level of the water you’re in—even if you’re sitting in a life raft. But if you’re standing on firm ground, you’ll stand tall no matter how low the water level goes.

All around us in today’s world, moral standards are falling. Society’s acceptable levels of right and wrong are sinking. But you can stand on the solid ground provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ as you develop your moral authority—your ability to influence yourself and others for good.

In the October 2013 general conference, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told about a woman he knew from Mexico. Her faith in God and the way she lived had empowered her with a natural ability to affect others. He said, “This lovely woman radiated a moral authority, born of goodness, that influenced all around her for good” (“The Moral Force of Women,” Ensign, Nov. 2013, 29).

Elder Christofferson pleaded that you “protect and cultivate the moral force that is within you” and said that you have a duty to “stand for truth and righteousness” (“Moral Authority,” 31–32).

Becoming a Moral Authority

You have the power to be an influence for good. Your moral authority will come from what you do and say. Elder Christofferson explained: “Take particular care that your language is clean, not coarse; that your dress reflects modesty, not vanity; and that your conduct manifests purity, not promiscuity. You cannot lift others to virtue on the one hand if you are entertaining vice on the other” (“Moral Authority,” 31).

What can you do to develop and protect moral authority in yourself and in others?

Young Men Can Help …

Yourself

Take part in Duty to God.

Begin now preparing to serve a full-time mission.

Prepare to become a husband and father who can preside over, provide for, and protect your family.